MLB Tuesday Plays: Phillies at Nationals and Red Sox at A’s

Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals

Watch: April 2, 7:05 p.m. Eastern  

Zach Eflin (0-0, 0.00 ERA) (PHI) +150 / +1.5 runs (-140) / Over 7.0 runs (-120) Max Scherzer (0-1, 2.35 ERA) (WSH) -185 / -1.5 runs (+120) / Under 7.0 runs (+100)

After sweeping the Braves in their first series of 2019, Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies (3-0) travel to Washington to take on his old team, the Nationals (1-2), on Tuesday night.

The Phillies lineup began the year with a bang, putting up 23 runs in three tilts with Atlanta. Harper, Maikel Franco and Andrew McCutchen all hit two home runs each during that series. But Philadelphia must face 2018 NL Cy Young runner-up Max Scherzer in this one, and “Mad Max” is 9-2 with a 2.64 ERA in 17 career starts against the Phillies. Offseason acquisition J.T. Realmuto has just three hits in 36 at-bats against Scherzer.

The Nationals should be able to take Phillies’ scheduled starter Zach Eflin to task, as they’ve posted a .375 average and .946 OPS against him in 64 prior at-bats. Bettors will have to watch for Washington’s bullpen, though, as that unit surrendered a 13.50 ERA against the Mets in their opening series. The Nats look like a great bet to draw first blood here at -120, but not necessarily to win this game at -185.

MLB Free Play: Nationals to score first (-120)

Boston Red Sox at Oakland Athletics

Watch: April 2, 10:07 p.m. Eastern

Chris Sale (0-1, 21.00 ERA) (BOS) -180 / -1.5 runs (+105) / Over 7.5 runs (-115) Mike Fiers (1-1, 5.00 ERA) (OAK) +145 / +1.5 runs (-115) / Under 7.5 runs (-105)

A pair of aces take the hill at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night, as Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox (1-4) battle Mike Fiers and the Oakland Athletics (4-3).

Sale, like most of his teammates, started 2019 inauspiciously, allowing seven earned runs and lasting just three innings against the Mariners on Opening Day. That effort should be written off as a fluke until proven otherwise. A’s hitters have mustered just a .205 batting average against Sale in 127 at-bats. Meanwhile, Fiers is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in his last five outings against the Red Sox. Expect the early-season swoons of Andrew Benintendi (2-for-16) and Mookie Betts (5-for-23) to continue here.

MLB Free Play: Red Sox vs. Athletics Under 

---

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+. NJ only. Odds may vary. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.